- #31
austinuni
- 57
- 24
When making difficult decisions, I try to write down a list of the factors which are important to me in the decision-making process. It can be a prioritized list, or a random list which can prioritized later. Prioritizing allows you to make more rigorous decisions.
For example, you could make a list of things which you want to achieve in your career, and order them according to their priority:
1. Doing math
2. Having a lucrative salary
3. Not getting too deeply into debt
4. Avoid becoming a SW engineer
(I made up some random priorities here). Keep this list at hand when comparing whether a career meets these requirements. Refine the list as you better understand why you rejected some careers and favored others.
Write down another list of things which drew you to math:
1. I am curious why mathematical objects behave the way they do.
2. I am good at math.
3. Math requires intense creativity.
Make as many lists as you need.
Choosing a career does not necessarily mean making an exclusive choice of one field over another. You can have a backup or fall-back career plan that is consistent with your lists, just in case it becomes apparent that your primary career choice is not going to happen.
For example, you could make a list of things which you want to achieve in your career, and order them according to their priority:
1. Doing math
2. Having a lucrative salary
3. Not getting too deeply into debt
4. Avoid becoming a SW engineer
(I made up some random priorities here). Keep this list at hand when comparing whether a career meets these requirements. Refine the list as you better understand why you rejected some careers and favored others.
Write down another list of things which drew you to math:
1. I am curious why mathematical objects behave the way they do.
2. I am good at math.
3. Math requires intense creativity.
Make as many lists as you need.
Choosing a career does not necessarily mean making an exclusive choice of one field over another. You can have a backup or fall-back career plan that is consistent with your lists, just in case it becomes apparent that your primary career choice is not going to happen.